Dear family and friends:
Last week ended up being a pretty great week. Miracles happened. Those
two words pretty much sum it up. But since I know those two words
aren't enough for all y'all... I'll expound a bit.
So on p-day, Sorella Decker and I had a blast (we are both history
geeks). And we went to see this Ancient Greek theater and a monastery
that turned to a university building. The theater is the oldest one
that has ever been discovered, I think. So that made it cool. There
was a sign that said we couldn't take pictures, but everyone was
ignoring it... So I ignored it too. Shhh, don't tell anybody that. ;)
Also, there was a house built over the theater that existed during
World War II, and the replica was beautiful. Sorella Decker and I came
up with a historical fiction plot that travels back into two separate
periods of history. If I ever find the time in my life after mission,
I might try to write a book. How cool would that be? The monastery was
also beautiful. I just think I scored the jackpot for missions. Italy
is so dang cool. I mean, other missions are cool too... But not as
much. ;)
Okay. 5 months down happened this past week. And it's freaking me out.
When you think about serving a mission, it is always 18 months.. And
now it's less. And I don't like that. I also don't know where time
goes. It disappears faster than you can snap your fingers.
This week, we had scambios. I was with the lovely Sorella Fransden.
And we had a really good time. We laughed harder than I ever have, and
I actually had fun finding for the first time. That morning, we went
to dolce America for American sweets with Angela for her birthday. We
got this really good cake, that was perfect in lightness and flavor,
and it was delicious. Also, America needs to adopt the pistachio
additions to their desserts. :)
This week, I received 3 birthday cards all on the same day, and then I
got one other one the next day. Strangely enough, they all say I can't
open them until November 8th. My family knows me too well. ;) They are
now sitting, and taunting me on my desk. I'm excited to open them. :)
Twice this week, we had people smile and wave at us that I've never
seen before. One of them on the bus home from English course. So we
turned around and asked her what her name was. She said Mary. And we
asked her if she knew the missionaries, and she said no. She just said
hi. We invited her to come to English course, and then she pointed at
the name of the church and said she wanted to learn more about that
too. We then saw her again the next day.. And she said she would come
to English course the next night, but she didn't. We are hoping she
comes this next week. She was really cute. We also met this lady from
Germany who lived in Ireland for 12 years who heard us speaking in
English on the bus. She was pretty excited to speak English with us.
We invited her to come to church too, so maybe something will come out
of that. Those were two of the miracles that happened.
We threw a Halloween party for English course on Thursday. And it was
really fun. A lot of people showed up, and brought treats to share and
we taught them words that are Halloween related. We also played a cake
walk type game and the game where they stick their hand in something
gross that they can't see.. And the things feel like various body
parts. They thought we Americans were nuts. :) Halloween here is
celebrated more with the dead and scary things. Then they have a day
in February to dress up like princesses and cartoon characters. But
their version of trick or treat is dolcetto o scherzetto? :)
This week, I started reading 1971 conference talks. Holy cow are those
things bold?!! But the world during the 70's had started to go crazy
with the hippies. So, I can imagine how important it was to emphasize
the law of chastity and word of wisdom. They are really fun to read.
It's funny to not recognize any of the general authorities though..
Well, I recognize their names, but not how they write their talks. It
is really fun.
This week, we also went over to the members house and her less active
daughter was there. She asked us for scriptures that talk about prayer
because she has been trying lately to make her prayers more
meaningful. We were more than happy to help. She was super sweet, and
we asked her if she would like us to come and visit more often, and
she agreed. :) She also has the cutest little boy who literally has a
smile on his face all the time. Not being able to play with kids is
the hardest thing ever.
On Saturday, the ward put on a Halloween party for the youth and the
singles, and so we went to the church to help them set up. We ended up
blowing up balloons. I think I blew up like 20 balloons. I figured out
how to tie them though. Haha, the things you learn on your mission. ;)
After blowing up that many balloons, you start to get a bit
lightheaded. My hands smelled like latex for the next two days. Haha..
Then it started to pour down rain, and we had to walk to the bus stop
and ride the bus home. We sat in the pouring down rain for 30 minutes
waiting for the bus in which we experienced a very genuine Halloween
storm. There was the rain, thunder, lightening, winds that started
ranging close to hurricane status, black cats, and bats. It was a fun
time. Let's just say that I was really grateful for a nice warm shower
when we got home. :)
I saved the biggest miracle for last. This week, we received a phone
call from the Reggio Anziani. They said they had a lady who is a
convert of like 2 years who just moved to Catania. She is from the
Mauritius islands and only speaks French and Creole. They also told us
that she was requesting a blessing of comfort. We asked people in the
ward if they knew of a priesthood holder who speaks French, but nobody
knew of anyone. We thought the best we would be able to do was to have
the blessing done in Italian and then have Kiran translate it. Then,
Sunday comes, and we had gotten her a ride to come to church. As we
are waiting for her to arrive, we see a couple walking up the walkway
to church. They come in and Anziano Pope says he hears them speaking
French. We thought he was joking, but when we asked where they were
from they said they were from Paris. So we ask the husband if he would
be willing to give Marianne a blessing, and he said he would. This
couple was on their honeymoon and they were in the province of Messina
which is about an hour and a half away from Catania, but before
catching their flight back to France on Sunday afternoon, they decided
to come to church. The church is far away from the airport and it was
really out of their way to come, but they felt like they needed to.
When Marianne arrives, she sits down in sacrament meeting and the guy
who gave her a ride starts to translate for her. Haha.. What? I guess
Angelo Longo speaks French too.. Along with all the other languages he
speaks, but I am not sure he would have been comfortable enough to
give her a blessing. Anyways, during fast and testimony, the wife
stands up to bear her testimony in French so Marianne could understand
her even though she didn't know anyone in the ward. And then after
sacrament, Sam gave her a blessing, and it was a beautiful thing. I
had tears in my eyes, because it was in that moment that I knew that
God knows about each and every one of us individually. He knows what
we need, and he knows exactly how to help us. He knows the people to
send to be angels for his children in their moment of need. I felt so
blessed to watch this miracle unfold. Watching and observing the
miracles that God brings to pass in my life and in the lives of the
people I am serving makes everything worth it. Also, if I was a
newlywed bride, how comforting would it be to know that my new groom
is a worthy priesthood holder who can be called upon at any time to
give a blessing. As much as this was a blessing for us and for
Marianne, I can't imagine the blessing it was for them to help us out.
I hope this is a story that continues on to their kids. I love
miracles.
Something I was reading this week in Matthew was that when Christ
walked on the water and calmed the sea, he didn't come out until the
4th watch of the night. His disciples were toiling all night in the
middle of this storm, and after hours and hours of struggling, Christ
comes and helps. Sometimes, miracles come during the 4th watch, and we
just need to be patient. :)
Sunday afternoon, we went to a pranzo appointment. And the Sorella
made us pasta with homemade pesto that was literally to die for. I
almost cried taking my first bite. Literally. Italian food is the
best. Then, I think I might have eaten horse meat. Now that I think
about it, it probably wasn't my first time.
Other than that, the only thing I want to happen is for the rain to
not exist anymore... But unfortunately, it is just getting started.
Woohoo! The rain here is crazy, and it would be a lot more efficient
if Italy had created a place for the water to go when it does rain.
Another civil engineering project for someone.
Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week. Don't forget to look for
miracles, and know that I love all of you. :)
Love,
Sorella Flansberg
P.S. Thank you for all the birthday wishes! :)
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